Proper Care

Sometimes orthodontic appliances can cause soreness and discomfort in your mouth. Most of the time, these issues may be taken care of at home. However, if an appliance breaks, patients should contact our office iSmiles and Dr. Brandon for help, thus avoiding any delays in treatment that might make the problem worse.

Please see some examples of orthodontic emergencies, and how they may be treated. However, please don’t hesitate to call our office and ask us what would be the best course of action.

As always, you should contact our orthodontic office with any questions or concerns. We will be happy to help you correct any problems you’re having with your appliances or schedule an emergency office visit if necessary.

Brushing your teeth with braces
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line.

Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between the teeth, around the braces, and on the surfaces of each tooth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse. It is important during orthodontic treatment to brush your teeth four times daily.

Flossing your teeth with braces

Traditional braces are composed of brackets bonded to the teeth and held together through wires that, over time, serve to pressure the teeth into a straighter position. Though metal braces were the most common type of aligners for decades, advances in orthodontics offer an array of options that give patients more aesthetically pleasing, and more comfortable, alternatives to attaining effective results.

While traditional metal braces may not be the most visually appealing method of straightening teeth, they do offer significant benefits. They are typically more cost-effective than other methods, and they also may be more effective for patients with severely malpositioned teeth.

Foods to avoid with braces

Ceramic braces use brackets that are colored to match the tint of your teeth, making it less noticeable to others that you are wearing braces.

The brackets are also built to resist stains, making them blend with your natural tooth-color for the duration of treatment.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Caramels
• Starburst
• MilkDuds

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Pizza crust
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers

Examples of Sugary Foods to minimize:

• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Cookies
• Candy

Examples of Sugary Foods to minimize (limit to once a day):

• Soda
• Sweetened Tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid

Loose Appliance?

Dental wax covering the part of the appliance hurting the mouth is often a quick remedy for loose appliances.

This wax is available at our office. Please ask at your visit if you would like to have some.

Loose Wire?

Dental wax can also help if you have a loose wire. Tweezers can be used to adjust the wire back into its proper place. However, please call the office first to make sure this is the best thing to do.

Please let the office know if you have a loose or bent wire, or if something just doesn't feel right, we are here to take care of you and your braces!

Also, know that things happen, and it's not necessarily something that you ate or did on purpose.

Jutting or Poking Wire?

Dental wax can provide short-term relief to the area of the jutting wire. The wire can be pushed down with a pencil eraser until corrected by Dr. Brandon at your next appointment.

Please let the office know if you have a loose or bent wire, or if something just doesn't feel right, we are here to take care of you and your braces!

At iSmiles we are also understanding and patient no matter the situation that arises.

Loose Band or Bracket?

In cases of a loose band or bracket, an appointment at our office should be scheduled immediately if the bracket has come fully loose. If a band comes loose from your tooth, please call us.

While a tight band actually protects a tooth from decay, a loose band can be dangerous when it comes to decay underneath that sometimes may occur very quickly. The free bracket should be wrapped in tissue and brought with you to your appointment. In cases where the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, dental wax can typically be applied and used to fasten it back into place.

Oral Soreness/Discomfort?

New appliances and adjustments can sometimes cause discomfort or soreness in the lips, teeth, tongue, and cheeks. Warm saltwater rinses, dental wax, and over-the-counter pain relievers may help; however, Dr. Brandon’s office should be contacted if pain and discomfort persist.

Understand that some soreness and discomfort is a part of the process on your way to a new and beautiful smile. In the end, it will all be worth it!